"Pittsburgh's Black and Gold" is the resurrection of a magazine that was first published in the late 70s, and ended after only a five year run. Today, nearly 30 years later and in a totally new medium, it is once again being published by Angelo Spagnolo, a lifelong Pittsburgher and avid sports fan of all teams "Black and Gold". This site is a tribute to Pittsburgh, where the home teams all wear the same uniform colors. "It's a hard-drinkin' town with an all Pittsburgh sports problem!!!"

Monday, June 15, 2009

ABOVE: Get ready Pittsburgh, there could be an avalanche of celebrations coming your way!

On a picture-perfect day with 80 degree temperature, low humidity and not a cloud in the sky, it was another great day to be living in Pittsburgh...and another great day for a parade.

Pittsburgh has become synonymous with three things: Championship teams, fireworks and parades. Of course, we have long had our St. Patrick's Day parade and Thanksgiving parade, but lately, we've gotten good at throwing these gi-normous championship parades.

The Steelers just had one in February and now, just four months later, here comes a tribute parade to the Stanley Cup Champion Penguins. Pittsburgh has improved as a parade center. When you think back to the last Penguin championships there were no parades, just a rally and speeches by the players in Point State Park.

Today, the city is not only throwing a parade, but in tribute to the fans who viewed the games OUTSIDE of Mellon Arena, it erected a huge jumbotron screen to enhance the entire event. When the Steelers had their parade, students were still in school, and although many "were off sick" that day, today there will be no excuses necessary. This crowd could possibly exceed the 350,000 would attended the Steeler parade.

Truthfully, the Penguins have boggled the collective imagination of Pittsburgh fans. Their youth, engaging personalities, exciting style of play, incredible skills, their amazing owner and unbelievable journey through the Stanley Cup Playoffs made this championship one that will be savored for decades to come.

It is fitting that the town that is once again being called the "City of Champions" would honor their champions in the grandest style possible. Between the win in SuperBowl XLIII, the Penguins' third Stanley Cup win and the recent announcement that Pittsburgh will be hosting the prestigious G-20 summit in September, it is safe to say that the Burgh is on a roll like never before. With Heinz Field, PNC Park, the new Consol Energy Arena on the way, plus a world class convention center and the Rivers Casino soon to open and our many museums and stunning scenery, Pittsburgh is rapidly developing into a first class tourist destination.

Who would have thought that a city that was once more infamous for its' pollution could have come as full circle as Pittsburgh has? Seriously, we've never thought of our city as being a tourist destination, but that's indeed what it is rapidly becoming. It also doesn't hurt that Pittsburghers, along with being wildly supportive of their sports teams have also become known as among the friendliest people to be found anywhere in the world.

On a day like today, it certainly makes you proud to be a Pittsburgher. There are a lot of things that have been done "right" in this city over many years for it to be in the position that it is in now.

But could you possibly imagine the celebration that would break out for the Pirates if they were to win their next World Series?

"I hear you could scratch my back with a hacksaw!!!"

Mellon Arena

Another Pittsburgh Icon soon to be blown up. They should've made this into the "North Pole Casino". It would've been great!

Chuck Tanner Figurine

Quite possibly the worst sports likeness ever foisted upon the figurine-bobblehead collecting public

Pittsburgh Icon WITH HIS ICON

Waving The Icon He Created ! God Bless You Myron!

Help Spread The Word!

If you're a new reader of "Pittsburgh's Black and Gold" I'd love to hear your comments! You can either leave a comment on an individual article or email me directly if you have a story or link at: angelospagnolo66@hotmail.com. I hope you enjoy reading "Pittsburgh's Black and Gold" as much as I enjoy composing it!

Jack "Splat" Lambert

"Count Dracula In Cleats". I wonder how he feels about Hines Ward getting fined for hitting people too hard?

Maz Bobblehead

Doesn't Look Like Him at all.

"The Mendoza Line"

Baseball's Equivalent of the Worst Avid Golfer. I'd like to meet him, but it could cause a crack in the "space-time continuum".

"The Poison Brothers"

We Miss You Myron

About Me

I'm well known for my golf exploits as "America's Worst Avid Golfer" (Golf Digest Magazine, 1985). I took 66 strokes on the island hole at the TPC in Florida (losing 27 balls in the process) thus the 66 on my profile. For the whole gristly story: http://commodoreclub.org/administrative/257_for_18_holes.htm/

"Beat the Broncos...

DICK GROAT

Falling Below Mendoza Line

"P.B.& G." Editor brings another title home to Pittsburgh in 1985 as "Worst Avid Golfer". Click on the photo to see CBS' coverage!

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Here's another beautiful shot of one of the world's most picturesque cities.

WHO WE ARE, WHAT WE DO AND WHY WE DO IT

"Pittsburgh's Black and Gold" is a regularly published blog site that is not sponsored or endorsed by any of the teams that it reports on (Steelers, Penguins, Pirates). All pictures are used here without prior permission. However, if we have used your picture and you would like us to take it down, we will gladly comply with your request. Our mission statement at "PB&G" is to provide an additional insight into all things Black & Gold both for current Pittsburgh residents and for those transplanted Pittsburghers who will always call "The 'Burgh" home.